The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-25
THE MOTIVE OF A MURDER
Theories of Detectives as to the Purpose
of the Men Who Killed De Burger.
They Are Still Unable to Penetrate the Mys-
terry of the Case-Cor0ner Wagner Takes
the Testimony Of Several Persons.

that the crims will be ferreted out. but
they are unwilling to disclose the clews they
have. Nearly every man working on the case
has different theory. Some of the officers
were inclined to believe at first that the crime
was committed by drunken hoodlums without
any motive. Those who know well the charac-
teristcs of the work of halfdrunken
youths do not accept this thsory. They
argue that unless there had been a mo-
tive the assault would not have been
followed up after the powders were thrown;
that one Of the three men would not have been
armed with q club of iron, and that they would
not have remained behind the car long enough
to make sure of the drivers death by throwing
him under the heels of the mules. and in front
of the car after they had already dealt hira sew
eral blows on the head.
There are many people who think the murder
was committed by some of the old car drivers.
When the strike was ordered three months ago
De Burger went out with the men. Two weeks
later he deserted the strikers and returned to
his work. By so doing he incurred the bitter en-
nifty of many of the old drivers. At this stage
OF the investigation, though there is not one iota
of evidence that goes to substantiate the theory
that any OF them committed the crime
Another theory is that De Burger had recent
y had some difficulty with passengers on his
car. It was reported yesterday morning that
Saturday afternoon the deceased put three mon
of his car near Schmidt's brewery because they
would not pay their fare and that they threat
ened to get even with him. The report was we'll
sfsed by the police, but no one could be found
who witnessed the difficulty. if it occurred
Detective Bruce yesterday afternoon found
the instrument with which the man was MUIR
dered 1t is a coupling pin from freight car
IL was found secreted under some dead grass in
the alley out of which the men came, and to
which they returned after the assault was
made, according to the statement of Emma
Martin. There spots of blood on the pin.
leaving doubt to it's being the instrument
with which the killing was done.
The weapon adds strength to the theory that
the murder was premediated. The railroad car
nearest to the OF the crime is three squares
away. SO the men must have carried the pin that
distance with the inten ton OF using it In as
saulnnR DeBurger.
Colonel johnson reiterated yesterday that he
would spare neither time nor money in getting
at the truth He called upon Coroner Wagner
yesterday morning and proffered him all the
sistance necessary in making q thorough official
Investigation. The Coroner accepted the serv-
ice OF II. Z. Allen, the attorney, for the COM
pany, and the TWO, in conjunction with the de-
tectives at work on the case, took considerable
testimony yesterday.
criticised for the course they have taken in the
matter 1t WAS supposed that they would offer
q reward for the county an inducemeut to get
the services OF the best detectives. but as yet
they have not done Owing to the great
number of witnesses to be examined, Dr. Wag-
ner. with the idea Of expeditng the investga-
ton, asked President Sahm, of the board,
allow him shorthand reporter. The request
was refused, and a result the investigation
will have to drag for several days.
The only persons known to have been loafng
where occurred
were seven young men-Charles Seibert. Joseph
and Charles Jordan, Buck Sage Jack
Foutz The two Jordans reside at
Southport. and the other five are coal
haulers Of this city. The officers ascertained
that about the time the man was killed few
or all of these men we're drinking and quarrel
ing in a saloon. half square from where the
killing occurred. Yesterday morning they were
all summoned before the coroner, and last even
ing the statements of two OF the number were
taken.
Charles Jordan testified that, with the six
men named, he started out early Saturday
evening to have good time" first going to
Peter Losers saloon. East Washington
street After drinking there for quite while.
ware street He. with Buck Sage. rode down in
a buggy, and the remainder of the crowd
walked. He had no definite recollection
the time they started down Delaware street
On their way down they saw no street car, but
after they had been at the ~. NJ. d l." saloon
quite awhile. something was said about street
Charles M. Seibert testified that he resided at
No. SO West Michigan street, and was a coal
haulsr for W. A. Rhodes. He was paid off at 6
saloon, where he Joined the six other Young
men. They had some soup and some beer. and
then started for the ~. NJ. & l." saloon. on
South Delaware street Chasles Jordan and
Buck Sage rode in the buggy, and he walked
with the four Others He and bis party had
been at the saloon about fifteen minutes when
Sage and Charley Jordan came in. Sage said
had hear hnr nnf 6a at Ha
was asked if he was killed, and his reply was
that he twas worse than killed"
did you go out and see the injured manP
asked the coroner.
NO we just stayed around awhile and then
went home." was the reply. The witness testi-
fed that all the mem bers of the party had drunk
several glasses of beer each. during the even
ing. but that none OF them were intoxicated.
Louis Philip Cornet. a clerk for Peter thinner.
testified that he had known George DeBurser
for many years. He was Of the first men to
reach him after he had been found on the track
IL asked him how he got hurt" said he, land he
replied: i got a scrap with three men. and
they struck me with piece of iron and then
knocked me over the dash board There were
two or three men standing around when asked
him the question but do not know who they
were"
The most important evidence taken was that
OF Emma Martin, the twelve -year.old girl who
was the only eyewitness to the affair. tier
story wat clearly told, and abe disclosed some
things that she bad said nothing about in any of
the statements she had previously made. Sub
stantalIy she said: saturday night was going
to Cabalzers grocery, and when | came TO The
first alley north Of Zimmers grocery, / saw
three men come out OF an alley on the same side
of the street / was on. They had rocks in their
hands, and they threw them at the driver. One
OF the powders struck him and he fell back.
Then one of the men struck him with piece of
iron about foot long. They then all took hold
of him by his coat and shoulders, and pulled
him over the dash board under the feet Of the
mules. While they were pulling him over, ne
said, Il have wife and children at home All
the time they were fighting him they didn't say
a word. After the driver fell the men ran back
into tha alley from which they came The men
wore SLOUGH hats. and seemed very dirty, l
saw them urder the gas-laht. One a email
man with smooth face, and the other two were
taller"
To-day Coroner Wagner will take the evil
dence of the other members OF the crowd of
seven that around the ~. NJ. g. l." saloon
about the time OF the murder. and there will
also be other important witnesses examined
SUPERINTENDENT Travis said last evening that